Cher Is Now About 80 How She Lives Is Sad

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29 Oct 202328:42

TLDRThe video script delves into the tumultuous life of Cher, the iconic pop goddess, revealing the struggles and complexities behind her fame. From her parents' whirlwind romance and subsequent divorce to her father's addiction, Cher's early life was marked by familial challenges. Her mother's multiple marriages and financial instability shaped Cher's resilience. Despite academic struggles with dyslexia, she pursued her dream of stardom, eventually finding success as half of the folk-pop duo Sonny and Cher. However, their relationship was fraught with infidelity and financial woes, leading to their separation and Cher's solo career. The script also touches on Cher's personal life, including her marriages, her children's experiences, and her advocacy for LGBTQ rights as her son Chaz underwent a gender transition. The narrative is a testament to Cher's enduring spirit and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

  • 💔 Sher's life was filled with personal turmoil and challenges, which deeply affected her soul.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Her family history was complex, with her parents, Georgia Holt and John Sarkeesian, having a whirlwind romance and eventual divorce.
  • 👶 Sher's early life was marked by her parents' divorce when she was just 10 months old, and her father's struggles with gambling and drug addiction.
  • 🏠 Sher's upbringing was unstable due to her mother's multiple marriages and divorces, and her career struggles as an aspiring actress and singer.
  • 🎓 Sher faced academic struggles in school, partly due to undiagnosed dyslexia, and eventually dropped out during her 11th grade.
  • 🎤 Her career began with her husband, Sunny Bono, as the folk-pop duo 'Sunny and Cher', achieving fame with their hit 'I Got You Babe'.
  • 🎬 Sunny and Cher ventured into film, but faced critical and commercial disappointment with their projects.
  • 💃 Sher successfully transitioned to a solo career after her divorce from Sonny, with her own TV show and a new image as a disco diva.
  • 🏆 Sher's acting career took off with a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for her role in 'Silkwood', and she later won the Academy Award for 'Moonstruck'.
  • 🎶 Despite her success in acting, Sher continued to face challenges in the music industry, with several albums failing to chart.
  • 💔 Sher's relationships and marriages were marked by difficulties, including a brief marriage to Greg Allman and strained relationships with her children.
  • 🌟 Throughout her life, Sher reinvented herself multiple times to stay relevant in the entertainment industry, showcasing her resilience and adaptability.

Q & A

  • What was the early life of Sher like?

    -Sher's early life was marked by instability and financial struggles. Her mother, Georgia Holt, had a tumultuous and unconventional life that significantly impacted Sher's upbringing. Georgia was an aspiring actress and singer but never gained career stability, leading to a nomadic and often financially strained lifestyle for young Sher. At one point, Georgia had to place Sher in a Catholic orphanage for several weeks while she attempted to secure a more stable financial footing.

  • How did Sher's parents meet and what led to their divorce?

    -Sher's parents, Georgia Holt and John Sarkeesian, met when Georgia was working at a donut shop in Fresno, California, and John was a truck driver known for his charm and good looks. They quickly decided to get married in a hasty ceremony in Reno, Nevada. However, their relationship was volatile and challenging, with John being a struggling gambler and drug addict. They divorced when Sher was just 10 months old.

  • What was the impact of Sher's father on her life despite their distant relationship?

    -Despite the strained relationship with her biological father, John Sarkeesian, Sher developed a deep love and respect for her Armenian heritage, which was influenced by him. This part of her identity was something she cherished.

  • Georgia Holt, Sher's mother, was married seven times, including two marriages to Sher's father. These frequent marriages and divorces led to a nomadic and financially strained lifestyle for Sher. Her mother's aspiration to be an actress and singer and the subsequent unstable financial situation meant that Sher's early years were filled with uncertainty.

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  • What challenges did Sher face during her school years?

    -Sher faced several challenges during her school years. She had a clear ambition to become a star and felt she didn't fit in with her peers, leading to disinterest in academics. Additionally, she struggled with dyslexia, a learning disability that affects reading comprehension, spelling, and writing. At the time, dyslexia was not well understood, and Sher, like many others, was often unfairly accused of not applying themselves in their studies.

  • What led to Sher's decision to drop out of school and move to Los Angeles?

    -Sher was unable to find her place in the traditional education system due to her academic struggles and her dreams of stardom. At 16 years old, fueled by her determination to become a star, she made the bold decision to drop out of school during her 11th grade year and moved to Los Angeles.

  • How did Sher's career as a folk-pop duo with Sunny Bono begin?

    -Sher's career as a folk-pop duo with Sunny Bono began when she moved to Los Angeles and met Salvatore 'Sunny' Bono, a songwriter and record promoter. Initially, Sher's role was that of a housekeeper, but their relationship evolved, and they became the iconic folk-pop duo 'Sunny and Cher', largely due to the release of their hit song 'I Got You Babe'.

  • What were some of the challenges Sunny and Cher faced in their personal and professional relationship?

    -Sunny and Cher faced numerous challenges in their relationship. Despite their success as a musical duo, they struggled with extramarital affairs, Sunny's constant womanizing, and financial issues. Their relationship was further strained by the failure of their films and the changing musical tastes of the era, which led them to reinvent themselves as a nightclub act in Las Vegas.

  • What happened to Sunny and Cher's relationship and career in the 1970s?

    -In the 1970s, the strains on Sunny and Cher's relationship began to surface. They chose to remain married for business reasons, even though their personal lives were complicated by relationships with other partners. By 1974, the pressure of upholding the illusion of a happy marriage became too much, and they decided to separate. Their divorce was finalized in 1975, marking the end of their personal and professional partnership.

  • How did Sher's career evolve after her divorce from Sonny Bono?

    -After her divorce from Sonny Bono, Sher embarked on a mission to revive her TV and music careers. She decided to go solo with her own show titled 'Cher'. Contrary to Sonny Bono's prediction, her solo endeavor was a remarkable success, proving she had the star power to stand on her own. However, her fortunes as a recording artist were quite dismal during this period, with several albums failing to gain much traction.

  • What was the impact of Sher's relationship with Greg Allman on her personal and professional life?

    -Sher's relationship with Greg Allman, a Southern rocker, was tumultuous. They got married just 3 days after Sher's divorce from Bono was finalized, but their marriage was rocky, with both parties struggling with substance abuse and Sher filing for divorce only 9 days later. Despite reconciling, their relationship faced further challenges, and they eventually parted ways for the last time in 1978. This relationship had a significant impact on Sher's personal life and also influenced her music career.

  • How did Sher's health challenges in the late 1980s affect her career?

    -In the late 1980s, Sher discovered she had contracted the Epstein-Barr virus, which led to a challenging 2-year period where she couldn't work, and her health deteriorated significantly. This forced her to decline numerous movie offers, which left her deeply upset. However, her resilience and talent eventually led her to new successes in the years that followed.

  • What was the significance of Sonny Bono's transition from entertainment to politics?

    -Sonny Bono's transition from entertainment to politics was significant as it marked a remarkable change in his public persona. He successfully ran for the position of Mayor in Palm Springs, California, and later was elected as a representative of California's 44th district in the United States Congress. Bono became a prominent figure in the Republican party, advocating for conservative principles and representing the interests of his constituents in California.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Tragic Beginnings: Sher's Turbulent Family Life

This paragraph delves into the complex and tumultuous family history of Sher, the pop icon. It begins with her parents, Georgia Holt and John Sarkeesian, whose whirlwind romance led to a quick marriage and eventual divorce. The narrative continues with Georgia's struggle as a single mother and her multiple marriages, which influenced Sher's upbringing. Sher's father was a gambler and drug addict, leading to a distant relationship. Her mother's third husband, John South Hall, became a significant father figure despite their violent conflicts. Sher's childhood was marked by economic challenges and a nomadic lifestyle due to her mother's unstable career in the entertainment industry. Despite these hardships, Sher developed resilience and was shaped into the iconic figure she became.

05:02

🎓 High School Struggles and Aspirations

The second paragraph focuses on Sher's high school years, where she felt like an outsider despite her attractiveness and intelligence. Her disinterest in academics was partly due to her dreams of stardom and partly because of dyslexia, a learning disability that was not well understood at the time. Sher's frustrations with school and her academic struggles led her to drop out during her 11th grade year. Her decision to move to Los Angeles at the age of 16 marked a life-changing journey. There, she met Salvatore 'Sunny' Bono, which eventually led to their partnership as the folk-pop duo 'Sunny and Cher'. Their iconic hit 'I Got You Babe' propelled them to international fame, and they continued to release a string of hits, venturing into film and television, which showcased their musical and comedic talents.

10:03

💔 Relationship Strains and Career Shifts

This paragraph discusses the strains on Sher and Sunny's relationship, despite their professional success. Their marriage was complicated by extramarital affairs and Sunny's infidelity. They chose to remain married for business reasons, but the pressure of maintaining a facade of a happy marriage eventually led to their separation and divorce. Sher's solo career took off after the divorce, and she found success with her own show, contrary to Sunny's predictions. However, her music career faced challenges, with her albums failing to gain traction. Sher's personal life also saw her marry Southern rocker Greg Alman, but their relationship was tumultuous, marked by Alman's substance abuse issues, and they eventually divorced. Sher's career hit a low point by 1978, but her resilience led her to new successes in the following years.

15:05

🏆 Triumphs and Challenges in Acting and Music

The fourth paragraph highlights Sher's significant achievements in acting, particularly her critically acclaimed role in 'Silkwood', which earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. She continued to take on dramatic roles, solidifying her reputation as a versatile actress. Sher's most notable cinematic achievement was winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the romantic comedy 'Moonstruck'. Despite her film success, Sher faced new challenges in her personal life, contracting the Epstein-Barr virus and enduring a period of ill health. Sunny Bono's transition from entertainment to politics and his eventual death in a skiing accident also marked a significant change in Sher's life. The paragraph also touches on the complex relationship Sher had with her children, particularly her son Elijah Blue Alman, who felt abandoned due to her demanding career and their tumultuous relationship.

20:07

🌈 Sher's Advocacy and Family Journey

The final paragraph explores Sher's advocacy for LGBTQ rights and her evolving perspective on her son Chaz Bono's transition from female to male. Initially struggling to accept Chaz's changes, Sher eventually became a passionate supporter of LGBTQ rights and her son's journey. Chaz's experience with being forcibly outed and his transition marked a deeply personal change. Sher's marriage to Sunny Bono also resulted in their son Chaz, who underwent a significant transformation. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on Sher's life, filled with pain and injustice, and invites viewers to share their thoughts on her story.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tragic Life

The term 'tragic life' refers to a life filled with significant hardship, suffering, and misfortune. In the context of the video, it describes the difficult and tumultuous life of Sher, the pop goddess, whose life was marred by personal struggles, family issues, and career challenges. This keyword sets the tone for the narrative, illustrating that despite her fame and success, Sher's life was not without pain and injustice.

💡Family History

Family history refers to the background, relationships, and events that shape a person's upbringing and character. In the video, Sher's family history is marked by complex relationships and instability, which had a profound impact on her life and career. It highlights the influence of her parents' multiple marriages, divorces, and her mother's unconventional lifestyle on Sher's development and experiences.

💡Ups and Downs

The phrase 'ups and downs' describes a life or situation characterized by alternating periods of success and failure, happiness and sorrow. In the video, it is used to describe Sher's career trajectory, which included both triumphant moments of fame and challenging times of struggle and reinvention. This keyword encapsulates the recurrent theme of Sher's life, where she faced and overcame numerous obstacles.

💡Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities. It can affect a person's ability to read, write, and comprehend text. In the context of the video, Sher's struggle with dyslexia is highlighted as a significant challenge during her school years, which impacted her academic performance and self-esteem.

💡Reinvention

Reinvention refers to the process of creating a new or modified version of something, often to adapt to changing circumstances or to achieve a new goal. In the video, Sher's career is marked by several instances of reinvention, as she adapted her image, music style, and even ventured into acting to stay relevant and successful in the entertainment industry.

💡Disco Diva

The term 'Disco Diva' refers to a female singer or performer who is associated with the disco music genre, known for its upbeat rhythms and danceable beats. In the video, Sher's reinvention as a 'Disco Diva' helped her regain her footing in the music industry after a series of unsuccessful attempts to establish herself as a rock artist.

💡Golden Globe and Academy Award Nomination

The Golden Globe and Academy Award are prestigious accolades in the film industry, with the Golden Globe awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Academy Award, also known as the Oscar, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A nomination for these awards signifies recognition of outstanding work in film. In the video, Sher's nomination for these awards highlights her successful transition from music to acting and her critical acclaim for her performance in the film 'Silkwood'.

💡Epstein-Barr Virus

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a member of the herpesvirus family that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, including infectious mononucleosis. In the video, Sher's contraction of the Epstein-Barr Virus is mentioned as a significant health challenge that led to a period of illness and inability to work, reflecting the personal struggles she faced outside of her professional life.

💡Political Transition

A political transition refers to a change in the political landscape or a shift in a person's political career. In the context of the video, Sunny Bono's political transition is marked by his shift from an entertainment career to a career in politics, eventually becoming a U.S. Congressman. This keyword illustrates the remarkable change in Bono's public persona and his impact on the political arena.

💡Family Relationships

Family relationships refer to the connections and dynamics between family members. In the video, Sher's complex family relationships, particularly with her children, are explored, highlighting the impact of her career and personal life on these bonds. This keyword emphasizes the personal struggles and emotional aspects of Sher's life beyond her professional achievements.

💡Cultural Icon

A cultural icon is a person or artifact that is widely recognized and represents certain cultural values or ideas. In the video, Sher is described as a cultural icon, signifying her significant influence and status in the entertainment industry and popular culture. This keyword underscores her enduring legacy and the respect she commands for her talent and contributions.

Highlights

Sher's life was full of uncontrolled turmoil that damaged her soul.

Her parents, Georgia Holt and John Sarkeesian, had a whirlwind romance that ended in divorce.

Sher's father was a struggling gambler and drug addict, leading to a distant relationship with her biological father.

Sher cherished her Armenian heritage, despite her strained relationship with her father.

Georgia Holt's third husband, John South Hall, was a significant father figure in Sher's life.

Sher's mother had a highly tumultuous and unconventional life that impacted Sher's upbringing.

Sher's early years were marked by uncertainty and economic challenges.

Sher felt ashamed of her clothes and was hard on her shoes due to financial constraints.

Despite her intelligence, Sher had a strong aversion to school and struggled academically.

Sher faced dyslexia, a learning disability that was not well understood at the time.

At 16, Sher dropped out of school and embarked on a journey to Los Angeles, leading to her partnership with Salvatore "Sunny" Bono.

Sunny and Sher's hit song 'I Got You Babe' resonated with the youth culture of the 1960s.

The duo Sunny and Cher ventured into the film industry but faced critical and commercial disappointment.

Sunny and Sher reinvented themselves as a nightclub act in Las Vegas, leading to television success.

Their relationship was strained due to Sunny's infidelity and they eventually divorced.

After her divorce, Sher embarked on a successful solo career in TV and music.

Sher's solo album 'Stars' failed to gain traction, highlighting her challenges in the music industry.

Sher's marriage to Greg Alman was rocky, marked by his substance abuse issues.

Sher's career hit a low point in 1978, but she eventually found success with Casablanca records and her album 'Take Me Home'.

Sher's acting career took off with a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for her role in 'Silkwood'.

Sher won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the romantic comedy 'Moonstruck'.

Sunny Bono transitioned from entertainment to politics, becoming a Congressman and advocating for conservative principles.

Sher's son Elijah Blue Alman had a challenging childhood and a complicated relationship with his mother.

Chaz Bono, Sher's other son, underwent a female to male transition, and Sher became a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights.

Sher's life story is marked by resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of success in the face of adversity.